Last updated: 4th June 2008
Essien: Happy at Chelsea
Michael Essien is not to be reunited with former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho at Internazionale, according to his agent.
The Portuguese tactician's appointment as Roberto Mancini's successor at the Italian giants has seen the rumour mill go into overdrive.
Inevitable talk of a Stamford Bridge raid has been manifest, with Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, also a target of Milan, linked with possible moves to Inter.
Essien has proved to be one of Mourinho's most astute purchases of his tenure in West London, and has been mooted to be at the top of his former taskmaster's summer wish-list.
Chelsea would be loath to lose the powerful Ghanaian midfielder and have been boosted by a statement released by the player's agent, Fabien Piveteau.
Essien's existing contract is not due to expire until 2012 and Piveteau can see no reason why the player would move before that date.
"Michael is very happy at Chelsea and that is where he will be playing next season. His current contract runs until 2012. There has been no approach from Inter," Piveteau informed Chelsea's official website.

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Championship Round-Up - 7th November
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd - Ferguson
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West Ham v Everton - 1st Half
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Wigan v Fulham - 1st Half
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
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Comments (6)
Ray (Chelsea fan) says...
I don't think we can complain too much if Jose does take some of our players. Think back to when he arrived - Porto were European champions and he broke up that team for his new club's advantage. I would be very reluctant to lose Essien and to a certain extent Lampard - although I don't think we could begrudge Frank wanting to move on. Drogba is superb on his day but I think we would all be happy to see the back of him providing a world-class, 30 goals a season replacement was brought in. Torres at Liverpool has to be the best bit of business in years... As far as the manager is concerned, I like the majority of CFC fans I speak to would have liked Hughes.
Posted 20:11 4th June 2008
Evan John (Chelsea fan) says...
I am happy to hear Essien committing himself to the club. He is a vital player and I love to see him play in midfield. Out of position is horrible and I cant see why Chelsea play him at LB/RB when we have enough talented player's available. I don't think Lampard will leave but Carvalho will probably jump at the chance. But I sure hope not!
Posted 20:09 4th June 2008
Samuel David (Manchester United fan) says...
Essien is a wonderful footballer and he does deserve a first team place. He has been playing out of his regular midfield positions and that will do a lot of harm for his career. Look at the way C.Ronaldo took him on in the CL final.He should look for a different team is ballack,lamps or makelle decide to stay.
Posted 19:31 4th June 2008
Jack French (Manchester United fan) says...
Even if Essien was to go to Inter they would easily replace him, Chelsea love spending money and with a new manager due to come in soon he'll waste no time in using the millions to bring in his own players, whos to say that he'll want Essien to stay?
Posted 19:31 4th June 2008
Peter Potter (Manchester United fan) says...
Jose took players from Porto to Chelsea and it would be no surprise that he would go after top players that love him that he has at Chelsea. However, i think the players would be mad to turn their back on the best league in the world.
Posted 19:27 4th June 2008
Alex Di cuffa (Chelsea fan) says...
As a chelsea supporter i would be mortified if we lost Essien Lamps or Carvalho. Drogba can go for all i care he doesn't even care about the club that made him. If essien Carvalho or Lamps goes only god knows what will happen to us and i don't think it would be a good thing
Posted 19:21 4th June 2008